Don`t Honor Pickets, United Warns Attendants

United Airlines is warning its 10,000 unionized flight attendants against honoring picket lines if United pilots strike Friday and is offering both security and dress tips for those who do cross.

Meanwhile in Boston, negotiations under federal mediation were slated to continue for the third consecutive day Wednesday. Since Monday, when talks resumed after a monthlong impasse, United and the pilots union both rejected new counterproposals. The union is expected to submit a second counterproposal Wednesday.

In a series of letters, the airline reiterated a plan to try to operate if there is a walkout by the pilots, who number 5,000, and suggested attendants could be permanently replaced if they honored picket lines.

In a May 7 letter, which opens, ``This may be the most important letter you have ever received from United Airlines,`` United said it assumes an

``adequate number of flight attendants`` would cross a picket line.

The airline indicated that, in the event of a strike, it wouldn`t agree to any back-to-work accord that ``adversely impacts`` any attendant hired during a strike. The letter intimates that such an impact, including inability to return to one`s former position, could be encountered by current workers who honor picket lines.

That prompted a May 9 response from Linda Puchala, president of the Association of Flight Attendants. She termed United`s letters part of ``their campaign designed to coerce and intimidate you`` and underlined the attendants` legal right not to cross lines.

In a May 10 letter, the company then revealed an ``extensive security plan`` for workers crossing picket lines at O`Hare International Airport and other United centers. That plan involves City of Chicago police and police from other municipalities, according to United.

It even gives tips to ``maximize personal security`` and to ``maximize anonymity.`` They include not wearing one`s uniform to work; coming to the airport in a car pool; carrying a ``nonregulation`` suitcase and purse; not using a suitcase ``wheelie`` to drag luggage, as many attendants do; and changing one`s computer password ``frequently and do not share it with anyone.``

Pat Friend, who heads the attendant union`s United unit, said Tuesday that ``no one who honors a picket line will be penalized and no one who crosses will be rewarded.``